23 Obscure and Obsolete Words

The average adult recognises 30,000 to 50,000 words, but only uses 10,000 to 15,000. However, there are actually about 1 million words in the English language, some of which - although obscure, forgotten, or rarely used - are worth reviving.

1. BOANTHROPY - A type of insanity in which a man thinks he is an ox.
2. CHANTEPLEURE - To sing and weep at the same time.
3. DIBBLE - To drink like a duck, lifting up the head after each sip.
4. EOSOPHOBIA - Fear of dawn.
5. EUGERIA - Normal and happy old age.
6. EUNEIROPHRENIA - Peace of mind after a pleasant dream.
7. EYESERVICE - Work done only when the boss is watching.
8. FELLOWFEEL - To crawl into the skin of another person so as to share his feelings, to empathise with.
9. GROAK - To watch people silently while they are eating, hoping they will ask you to join them.
10. GYNOTIKOLOBOMASSOPHILE - One who likes to nibble on a woman's earlobes.
11. HEBEPHRENIC - A condition of adolescent silliness.
12. IATROGENIC - Illness or disease caused by doctors or by prescribed treatment.
13. LAPLING - Someone who enjoys resting in women's laps.
14. LIBBERWORT - Food or drink that makes one idle and stupid, food of no nutritional value, `junk food'.
15. MEUPAREUNIA - A sexual act gratifying to only one participant.
16. NEANIMORPHIC - Looking younger than one's years.
17. ONIOCHALASIA - Buying as a means of mental relaxation.
18. PARNEL - A priest's mistress.
19. PERISTEROPHOBIA - Fear of pigeons.
20. PILGARLIC - A bald head that looks like a peeled garlic.
21. PREANTEPENULTIMATE - Fourth from last.
22. RESISTENTIALISM - Seemingly spiteful behaviour manifested by inanimate objects.
23. SUPPEDANEUM - A foot support for crucifix victims